December 10, 1934 ~ December 9, 2024
89 Years Old
Obituary
Graveside services for Billy Chandler, 89, of Bryan, Texas, will be held at 10:00 AM, on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at Fairview Cemetery with Curtis Pope officiating.
Billy Shannon Chandler, age 89, passed away on December 9, 2024, in Bryan, Texas. He was born on December 10, 1934, in Nacogdoches County, Texas.
Billy was the second born of nine children to Earl and Adele Chandler. He attended school in Martinsville until the 10th grade then went to Nacogdoches High School where he met his wife of 66 years, Bessie Bethune. He graduated in 1953 and married his high school sweetheart Bessie on June 10, 1955.
Billy and Bessie celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on June 10th, 2021, a little over a month before her passing. He has missed her every day since. Bessie would want you to know that she was the only girl he ever dated, Billy would happily listen to the boasts of his wife. Together they moved multiple times in the first few years of marriage before settling in Houston. Upon moving to Houston, Billy worked for Camco to provide for his bride. In 1957, Billy was drafted into the Army where he was stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs. He served as an airplane mechanic and trained to be a machinist. This training and experience prepared Billy for his career as a precision machinist that he maintained for over 30 years. Upon his discharge from the army in 1959, Billy and Bessie returned to Houston with a lovely new addition, their first child, Rita (Nov. 1959). They added a son to their family in February of 1962, Rex completing their family. Billy began a career with Texaco in 1964 as a Precision Machinist in the Bellaire Research Center where he was dedicated to his craft until his retirement. Billy and Bessie remained in Houston for over 60 years until they moved to Bryan in 2020 to be closer to their daughter.
Billy Chandler was a faithful servant of the Lord. Although he was not one for wearing his emotions on his sleeve, his love and dedication to the Lord’s church could be seen through his manual hard work that often went unnoticed. After attending services with his faithful wife for many years, Billy was baptized by W.R. Jones and became a member of the Bellaire church of Christ. He served there as a deacon for over 30 years. He attended Cy Fair church of Christ for 10 years before moving to Bryan in 2020. He was a member of the Twin City church of Christ until his passing.
Billy was a devout son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and neighbor. There was not a grandkid’s school project, unkept lawn, left out garbage can, or undone house project that he did not jump at the opportunity to assist with. It is safe to say that he showed his love by serving others and he did it so well. He was a skilled handyman and craftsman that built many projects to serve the people (and animals) around him. He could always be found feeding the birds and building them squirrel-proof houses. He demonstrated an extreme loving care for his environment and instilled that care in his children and grandchildren.
We rejoice with Billy as he no longer must suffer on this earth but can be joined with his Father in heaven. Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Adele Chandler; his wife, Bessie Bethune Chandler; his siblings, Clarence Chandler, Earlene Smith, and Barbara England.
Billy is survived by his daughter Rita Harris and husband, Greg of Bryan, Texas; his son, Rex Chandler and wife, Kristin of Richmond, Texas; grandchildren, Megan Spigener and husband, Ryan of Gilmer, Texas; Chandler Harris and wife, Rebecca of College Station, Texas; Courtlandt Arrants and husband, Quentin of Bryan, Texas; Mallory Abney and husband, Tyler of Fort Worth, Texas; great grandchildren; Anne Katherine Harris and Corey Drew Spigener; siblings; Fred Chandler (Claudette), Betty Hamilton (Don), Mike Chandler, David Chandler (Susan), Karon Young (Steve) and numerous nieces and nephews.
Serving as Pallbearers: Tyler Abney, Quentin Arrants, Ryan Spigener, Clark Chandler, Randy Godsey and Gary Rogerson.
In lieu of flowers make donations to the American Cancer Society, Sacred Selections or a charity of your choice.
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